Coach John Calipari, for the first time in his four-year tenure at Kentucky, is not coaching a team ranked in the top 25. He again has a unit dominated by freshmen, but it’s the first time they’re playing like, well, freshmen.

And Calipari is not taking it well.

John Calipari said is not pleased with Kentucky team but still believes they can become one of the nation's best. (AP Photo)

This week, he added 7 a.m. conditioning work for his team to improve his young Wildcats’ mental state as much as, if not more so, than their physical stamina.

“It’s hard trying to be special, easy being mediocre. It is really hard to try to be special,” Calipari told reporters Saturday afternoon after Kentucky beat Portland 74-46. “I’m just telling you we have a long way to go.

“My question to my team: There’s eight or 10 teams that are better than all the rest of the teams in the country. Do you want to be one of those eight or 10 teams? What are you willing to do to be one of those eight or 10 teams? Or you don’t want to be? Too hard. I don’t want to be one of those eight or 10.”

Kentucky is now 6-3 with losses to Duke, Notre Dame and Baylor but no marquee wins. He has three weeks -- with only two games in between -- to work the Wildcats before playing at No. 5 Louisville on Dec. 29.

He wants big man Nerlens Noel to stop trying to be a finesse player and use his power and energy. He wants Alex Poythress to demand the ball. He wants Ryan Harrow to push the ball and work harder on defense. He wants Archie Goodwin to be relentless. He wants Kyle Wiltjer to fight for rebounds and let the game come to him on offense.

Yes, the to-do list is long.

“I’m looking at everybody in the country saying we’re probably 50 to 100 right now, but we could be top 10, top eight,” Calipari said. “Those eight are the only ones that truly have a chance to win the whole thing. Do you want to be those or not? That was my challenge to them. Are you fearful you’re not good enough right now? Are you like Derrick Rose, who when I had him: I just don’t think I’m good enough, I have to work harder, spend more time. Or Michael Kidd(-Gilchrist), Brandon Knight, guys that understood, I’m not good enough, I’ve got to get better.

“I’m working on as much mental toughness and the mentality this team has. ... They’re getting better. But I’m not backing up. I’m holding them accountable on every possession until they’re ready to say, 'C’mon, let’s go.' ”